A comprehensive investigation by the RadioCycling Podcast has revealed inconsistencies and the lack of effective mechanical doping tests in professional cycling, despite claims by the UCI to conduct tests at all UCI WorldTour and UCI Women’s WorldTour events.
The report comments on the discovery that no technological fraud tests were conducted in four out of the 21 stages of this year’s Giro d’Italia, including the 1st and 10th stages, which were time trials.
Issues Extend Beyond the Giro d’Italia
The issue extends beyond the Giro d’Italia. In other major events such as the Tour de France, X-ray testing was not conducted in the final stage in Paris. The lack of testing was also observed in other prestigious races, including the Vuelta a Cataluña, the Tour of Scandinavia, and the Tour Down Under, among others.
In the case of the Paris-Nice, one of cycling’s most important races, tests were not conducted during stages 5, 7, and 8.
UCI’s Position
In its statement, the UCI defended its program against technological fraud, stating that a total of 4,280 tests were conducted in 2023, with magnetic tablets being used in 3,777 of them and X-ray technology in 503 tests. According to the UCI, all tests came back negative.
Please find below the full information on the matter: